Academic Honors
Honor societies representing several curriculum disciplines exist to recognize specific academic achievement. Student chapters of several professional societies are also available. The honors policy at Naugatuck Valley Community College is as follows:
Semester Honors:
- Dean’s List - A 3.4 grade point average for the semester
- Full-time students who are matriculated in a certificate or degree program and who successfully complete 12 or more credits of work in a semester with a grade point average of 3.4 or higher shall be recognized by having their names placed on a Dean’s List.
- Part-time students who are matriculated in a certificate or degree program are also eligible for such recognition when they have completed 12 or more credits of work with a cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or higher. They may be subsequently recognized at the completion of an additional 12 or more credits of work with a cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or higher, and at successive intervals of 12 credits.
- A course Withdrawal or Incomplete shall make the student ineligible for Dean’s List recognition that semester. Upon completion of the Incomplete, the student may be recognized retroactively.
- Students who are in a probationary status are not eligible for Dean’s List recognition, even if their cumulative grade point average might otherwise make them eligible.
Phi Theta Kappa - Students with a semester GPA of 3.40 or higher.
Alpha Beta Gamma - Business Major students with a CGPA of 3.0 or higher and completion of at least 15 College credits.
Alpha Beta Gamma
Alpha Beta Gamma is an international business honor society established in 1970 to recognize and encourage scholarship among college students in business curricula at community, junior and technical colleges. The Society has over 35,000 members from 140 member colleges. To achieve this goal, Alpha Beta Gamma provides an opportunity for the development of leadership and service, an intellectual climate for the exchange of ideas and ideals, lively fellowship for business scholars, and the stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. The lives of members, chapter advisors and support administrators have been enriched by the Alpha Beta Gamma experience. Alpha Beta Gamma exists to honor the superior student in business programs.
Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX)
LEX is a national Legal Assistant/Paralegal Honor Society. Students who have superior academic performance and complete two-thirds of the program requirements are eligible to be inducted.
Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is a nationwide honor society for community college students. The criteria for invitation are a 3.40 or above grade point average with at least 24 completed credits, including all majors. The achievements and future plans of its members are focused to promote continued honors behavior and to maximize their educational attainment. These goals are accomplished by numerous articulation and transfer scholarships with many colleges and universities. A Faculty Honors Advisor offers guidance and assistance to the Phi Theta Kappa members who represent approximately the top three percent of the student body. Membership is a lifetime honor.
The Honors Institute
The Honors Institute will enable students who have demonstrated significant academic achievement to participate in a rigorous course of study to advance their knowledge and research skills. Graduates who meet the course work will receive an Honors designation on their transcript. Full time and part time students may apply. Applications are accepted until October 1 for the Spring semester, and April 1 for the Fall semester. In order to be admitted, students must have obtained at least 12 college credits (NVCC or transfer) with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4.and must have obtained a letter of recommendation from a faculty member.
To graduate with Honors Distinction:
- A student must complete nine credits of Honors course work:
- Two honors by contract courses
- One capstone “Special Topics” course
- Attain a minimum 3.4 CGPA in each course
- Attain a minimum 3.4 CGPA in the degree program
- Each HBC course will conclude with a student presentation.
The Honors Institute affords students direct access to faculty mentoring, more independent study opportunities, and early entrance into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Success in the Honors Institute increases transfer opportunities, gains student recognition at the Honors Showcase and commencement, and includes honor status on the student’s transcript.
Graduation Honors
Students with exemplary academic performance shall be recognized at graduation with the following designations, either in Latin or English, as the college may choose:
- Summa Cum Laude/Highest Honors for students with a 3.9 - 4.0 grade point average
- Magna Cum Laude/High Honors for students with a 3.7 - 3.89 grade point average
- Cum Laude/Honors for students with a 3.4 - 3.69 grade point average
Students with an Incomplete may become eligible retroactively for graduation honors upon completion of the course requirements, and recognition shall appear on the transcript, provided that the student has earned the required grade point average. Grades received for developmental courses may be used to determine eligibility for semester honors. However, they cannot be used to determine eligibility for graduation honors.
To Graduate with Honors Distinction:
- A student must complete nine credits of Honors course work:
- Two honors by contract courses
- One capstone “Special Topics” course
- Attain a minimum 3.4 G.P.A. in each course
- Attain a minimum 3.4 GPA in the degree program
- Each HBC course will conclude with a student presentation.
Graduation Requirements
Degree/Certificate Eligible Students
The College awards the degrees of Associate in Arts and Associate in Science. To be eligible for an associate degree, the student must have fulfilled all of the following:
- been accepted into a degree program at the College.
- satisfactorily completed the courses required in the curriculum for the degree. In addition to the degree requirements, students are strongly urged to take advantage of courses available which will broaden their personal and professional lives.
- completed a minimum of 25 percent of all academic requirements for the degree at Naugatuck Valley Community College.
- earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
- been recommended for graduation by a vote of the Professional Staff of the College or an affirmative recommendation from the Division Director, Department Chairperson or the Program Coordinator.
- complete the graduation application at nv.edu/gradapp and submit by December 1 for January conferral or March 15 for May, or July 1 for August conferral. There is no application fee.
- paid to the College all bills incurred, and must have returned or paid for all materials loaned by the College, including library books, audiovisual and athletic equipment.
Developmental Courses
Credit Courses Which Do Not Apply to Electives or the Degree
The following credit courses do not satisfy the elective or degree requirements in any program except where specifically listed.
ENG* H096 , ENG* H063
ESL* H013 , ESL* H015 , ESL* H017 , ESL* H022 , ESL* H025
MAT* H075 , MAT* H092 , MAT* H094 , MAT* H095
Earning a Second Degree
A student who already holds an academic degree may earn a second degree in a different curriculum at a community college. Such a student shall be treated similarly to a transfer student with respect to the minimum number of credits he or she must take for the second degree. This will require that a student meet all program requirements and earn at least 25 percent of the minimum requirements for the new curriculum at the college through which the second degree is to be conferred.
- A student may earn two degrees simultaneously at a community college by fulfilling all requirements stated above.
- Requests for additional degrees beyond the second require prior approval from the academic dean. Students who receive approval must then complete all program requirements, including earning at least 25 percent of the minimum requirements for the new curriculum at the college through which the degree is to be conferred.
- Completion of the requirements of an additional program option does not constitute a different degree.
Certificate Requirements
Students who complete the requirements for a credit certificate are expected to follow the same procedures described for degree students.
Individuals completing non-credit certification programs (e.g., Certified Nurse Aide, Emergency Medical Technician) should check with the Continuing Education Department to verify their completion of, and compliance with, all state-mandated regulations.
|